Alpinia plant ‘LY1’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Alpinia plant named ‘LY1’ is disclosed characterized by robust plants with observed resistance to ginger blast. Inflorescences are long and composed of attractive pink flowers with yellow interior petaloids. Plants have a long flowering season, of nearly 8 months, with full-flowering from June to September in Guangdong Province, China. The new variety is useful as both a cut flower and landscape plant in warm climates.

Latin name of the genus and species: Alpinia zerumbet x henryi.

Variety denomination: ‘LY1’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Alpinia ‘LY1’, is the product of a planned breeding program. The intent of the breeding program was to produce new ornamental ginger varieties for both cut flower and landscape purposes with improved resistance to diseases and pests in hot, wet climates. The new variety originated from a cross pollination of an unpatented, unnamed seed parent, Alpinia zerumbet with the pollen parent an unpatented, unnamed variety of Alpinia henryi. The cross pollination was made during May of 2010 in Guangdong Province, China at a research nursery. The new cultivar ‘LY1’ was selected in December of 2013 at the same location.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘LY1’ was first performed by division in Guangdong Province at a research nursery January of 2014. Alpinia ‘LY1’ has since produced multiple generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LY1’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environmentenvironmenE such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘LY1’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘LY1’ as a new and distinct Alpinia cultivar:

-   -   1. Usefulness as both a cut flower and landscape plant in warm         climates.     -   2. Strong plants resistant to typical diseases and pests found         in warm climates.     -   3. Ornamental flowers with pink petals and yellow interior         petaloids.     -   4. Long inflorescences.     -   5. Long flowering season, of nearly 8 months, with         full-flowering from June to September in Guangdong Province,         China.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LY1’ are similar to plants of the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘LY1’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Alpinia ‘LY1’ produces inflorescences of a brighter pink,         with less flowers per inflorescence.     -   2. Alpinia ‘LY1’ produces flowers over a longer time,         approximately 8 months.     -   3. Alpinia ‘LY1’ produces a smaller, lighter colored fruit than         the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LY1’ are similar to the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘LY1’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Alpinia ‘LY1’ produces longer inflorescences, which are more         drooping than those of the pollen parent.     -   2. Plants of Alpinia ‘LY1’ are taller than plants of the pollen         parent.     -   3. Alpinia ‘LY1’ produces darker colored fruit than the seed         parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The new cultivar ‘LY1’ can be compared to the unpatented commercial variety Alpinia zerumbet ‘Variegata’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘LY1’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of Alpinia ‘LY1’ are taller than plants of         ‘Variegata’.     -   2. Flowers of Alpinia ‘LY1’ are brighter pink than flowers of         ‘Variegata’.     -   3. Alpinia ‘LY1’ produces more inflorescences for cut flower         purposes than ‘Variegata’.     -   4. Alpinia ‘LY1’ produces lighter colored fruit than ‘Varigata’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate in full color typical plants of ‘LY1’ grown outdoors, in the ground in Guangdong Province, China. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and equipment. While the colors in these photographs may display variances of color as compared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (light reflectance value), they are as accurate as possible using conventional photographic techniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differ slightly from the color values cited in the botanical description, which accurately describe the colors of the new Alpinia plant. Temperatures ranged from approximately 2° C. to 38° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical of plant of Alpinia ‘LY1’ at approximately 12 months.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical inflorescence of Alpinia ‘LY1’.

FIG. 3 illustrates in full color a typical flower of Alpinia ‘LY1’.

FIG. 4 illustrates in full color typical fruits of Alpinia ‘LY1’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart, 2001, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘LY1’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Guangdong Province, China. Average day temperature was around 25° C.; average night temperature was around 18° C. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were full sunlight. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types. Measurements were taken during November of 2020.

-   Botanical classification: Alpinia zerumbet x henryi ‘LY1’.

PROPAGATION

-   Type of propagation typically used: Division from side shoots. -   Time to initiate roots: About 7 days at temperatures above 15° C.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 12 months. -   Container size of the plant described: Field planted. -   Growth habit: Tropical and subtropical perennial composed of an     herbaceous pseudostem. Columnar in shape. Flowering from May until     November with the most blooms occuring June through August. -   Height: Average range 250 to 350 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 85 cm. -   Growth rate: Rapid. -   Branching characteristics: No branching. -   Root description: Cylindrical rhizomes. 30 to 50 cm long, 5 mm in     diameter. Fleshy, colored near Yellow-White 158B.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Average length.—Average 60 cm.         -   Average width.—8.0 cm         -   Shape of blade.—Lanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Cuneate.         -   Margin.—Entire, weakly undulate.         -   Attachment.—Sessile sheath.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous. Main vein has a slight             pubescence.         -   Appearance of top surface.—Moderate luster.         -   Appearance of bottom surface.—Matte.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137C. Young             foliage, under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 146B. Mature             foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 39A. Mature foliage,             under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 148D.         -   Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side: Near             Green 137A. Venation color under side: Near Green 138B. -   Sheath:     -   -   Average length.—Approximately 1 cm.         -   Average diameter.—Approximately 5 mm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: Near Green 137D. Lower surface: Near             Yellow-Green 148B.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Flowering from May until November with the     most blooms occurring June through August. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Somewhat drooping spike, typically     with 40 to 60 flowers. 3 to 6 inflorescence per plant, depending on     maturity and environmental conditions. Individual flowers     semi-fleshy, papilionaceous. -   Inflorescence longevity as a cut flower: 4 to 5 days. -   Flower longevity on plant: Individual flower 1 day.     -   -   Total inflorescence size.—Height: Approximately 30 cm.             Width: Approximately 10 cm.         -   Corolla.—Arrangement: Papilionaceous. Longevity: 1 day.             Size: Length: Approximately 4.5 to 5.0 cm. Width:             Approximately 2.2 cm to 2.5 cm. Tube Length: Approximately             1.5 cm. Tube Diameter: Approximately 0.4 cm. Throat             Diameter: Approximately 0.6 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity.—3.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Shape.—Broad ovate.         -   Apex.—Gently tapering.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, fleshy all surfaces.         -   Petal length.—4 cm, Lip 4.5 cm.         -   Petal width.—2 cm, Lip 3.5 cm.         -   Color.—When opening: Petal color, upper surface: Red-Purple             69D. Petal color, under surface: Red-Purple 69D. Fully             opened: Petal color, upper surface: Red-Purple 69D. Petal             color, under surface: Red-Purple 69D. Color Changes when             Aging: Near RHS Greyed-Orange 164C all surface.         -   Throat color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 69D.         -   Tube color.—Near RHS Red-Purple 69D, interior and exterior. -   Interior petaloids:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Quantity.—2.         -   Length.—2.8 cm.         -   Width.—1.3 cm.         -   Shape.—Broad deltate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Apex.—Obtuse.         -   Base.—Truncate.         -   Texture.—Glabrous, fleshy all surfaces. Color: When opening:             Petal color, upper surface: Yellow 11C. Petal color, under             surface: Yellow 11C. Fully opened: Petal color, upper             surface: Yellow 11C. Petal color, under surface: Red-Purple             69D. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—3.         -   Length.—2.5 cm.         -   Width.—8 mm.         -   Shape.—Elongated oval.         -   Apex.—Gently tapering.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Glabrous and fleshy all surfaces.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: Near Red 54C. Under Surface: Near Red             54C. -   Bud: (near opening).     -   -   Shape.—Elongated ovate.         -   Length.—Approximately 3 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 1.2 cm.         -   Color.—Near Red-Purple 65A. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Average 1.5 cm.         -   Width.—Average 1.0 cm.         -   Strength.—Weak.         -   Texture.—Leathery.         -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Red 178A. -   Pedicels:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.0 cm.         -   Strength.—Moderately strong and flexible.         -   Texture.—Leathery.         -   Color.—Near RHS Greyed-Red 178A.         -   Angle.—Drooping 30 to 40 degrees downward. -   Fragrance: Moderately pungent.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens: (Androecium).     -   -   Number.—Average 1.         -   Filament length.—Approximately 3.0 cm.         -   Filament color.—Near RHS Yellow 11C.         -   Anther length.—0.1 cm.         -   Anther color.—Near RHS Yellow 11D.         -   Anther shape.—Elliptic.         -   Pollen color.—Near RHS Yellow 11D.         -   Pollen quantity.—Moderate. -   Pistil: (Gynoecium).     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.7 cm.         -   Style length.—1 cm.         -   Style color.—Yellow 11D.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Cylindrical. Color: Near Yellow 11D. Ovary             Color: Near RHS Yellow 11D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds: About 50 per flower. 4 mm diameter, colored near RHS N200A. -   Fruits: 40 to 50 per plant, 3.5 cm diameter, woody. Colored Orange     28A. 2. months to ripening. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates temperatures from approximately     −2° C. to at least 40° C. -   Disease/pest resistance: Observed resistance to Ginger blast     (Pyricularia zingiberi). Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     other normal diseases Alpinia observed. Neither resistance nor     susceptibility to normal pests of Alpinia observed. -   Drought tolerance: No tolerance for drought. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Alpinia plant named ‘LY1’ as herein illustrated and described. 